Average Rating

User Reviews

Just got through the massive 52 episode first season, and it's great so far. It's effectively 4, 13-episode seasons wrapped into one. They are not separate because the story and theme remains the same throughout.

The character development in season 1 is fairly sparse - characters even joke that they aren't getting many lines or haven't been present for quite a few episodes. The story meanders
...

Just got through the massive 52 episode first season, and it's great so far. It's effectively 4, 13-episode seasons wrapped into one. They are not separate because the story and theme remains the same throughout.

The character development in season 1 is fairly sparse - characters even joke that they aren't getting many lines or haven't been present for quite a few episodes. The story meanders after season 1.1 once the introductions have been made.

It's a cross between slice-of-life and romantic comedy (heavy on the comedy); however, each episode is practically a cutaway gag (almost like Family Guy skits, but each a full episode) in that the genre of the episode could be anything from mecha to magical girl, even if only for a part of it. Despite the randomness, there are many episodes that reveal more about the main characters or relationships between secondary characters.

Fan service is lukewarm and is often joked as being provided by obligation. Heck, they censor more Intellectual Property in their gags than bodies in their fan service.

As previously mentioned, the fourth wall is smashed with a wrecking ball very early on, but that just makes for even more hilarious gags. Speaking of gags: the references, ye gods, the references. I've lost count of all the references they make to tell a quick joke.

Overall, season 1 is great despite the loose story that ties it all together. The creators have a great sense of humor and I am confident that season 2 can only make the series better. Stay tuned for updates after the relatively short, 25-episode season 2.

While this series is by this point somewhat of a classic and doesn't require much endorsement, I think it's still worth talking about, as it's one of the better comedy anime series out there and still surprisingly fresh and compelling more than a decade after it's premiere. Wacky, sometimes random with its humour and breaking the fourth wall all the time, it still manages to deliver memorable
...

While this series is by this point somewhat of a classic and doesn't require much endorsement, I think it's still worth talking about, as it's one of the better comedy anime series out there and still surprisingly fresh and compelling more than a decade after it's premiere. Wacky, sometimes random with its humour and breaking the fourth wall all the time, it still manages to deliver memorable characters and an interesting storylines, while being genuinely funny and pleasurable to watch. It has it's weaker moments, especially in some more random/absurd episodes that doesn't add anything to the overarching storyline, but at most times it delivers exceptional and cheerful entertainment. Creative elements such as unique use of narrator and playing with opening segments makes is very memorable and distinct from many other, similar productions.

There are two possible complains that I have to mention, although I think they won't be a problem for most viewers. The first one is the use of references in this show: it's absolutely full of small and huge nods to other anime and manga series and your knowledge about other shows and comics might add a lot to your enjoyment or leave you not really understanding some of the humour. It not in any way unwatchable without the contextual knowledge authors expect you to have, but the "meta" aspect is very strong and explicit.

The other possible problem (and one I actually felt a bit more) is the harem scenario the main character is involved in and which really doesn't go anywhere during the whole series. The show is in large part a romantic comedy, but the fact how clueless and indecisive the main character is can be tiring after some time - it works for comedic purposes, but you shouldn't expect the "ship wars" to be resolved here in any way. Probably most people won't be bothered by it that much, but I was a little disappointed with no proper conclusion, or even serious hints at such.

Spoiler Alert! Click to show or hide

The romantic subplot is resolved in the manga though, making Hayate and Nagi a couple. From what I've read it was the less popular option among the fans and definitely not my pick, but it was also easy to predict and I think I would still like it more than lack of any conclusion (Hayate, you indecisive moron, why didn't you chose Hinagiku? She was absolutely the best. :'().

Other than that, watching this series is an extremely positive, fun experience and I can recommend it to pretty much anyone. It also lacks annoying fan-service and many other peculiarities that could drive someone off the typical comedy anime - it should work for various ages and various tastes, providing both many laugh-out-laud moments and occasional cute/emotional scenes. There's really no reason to miss out!

.... I thought I would regret this..... I don't.... Plain and simple.. This is.... is... I don't even know what this is... I LOVE IT!!!!!... Be prepared for ... Awesomeness, randomness Super coolness, funny and well, EVERYTHING!!! This is one of My more Loved anime's now...

Hayate the Combat Butler is an anime series adapted from the Shonen Sunday manga of the same name. On the surface it seems like a typical harem but get into it and you'll find more than you expected. With fun characters, nice visuals, and references all over the place it turns what could have been a typical harem into a fun adventure with sometimes unexpected turns along the way.

This show was an interesting mix of parody, originality, comedy, romance, and action with a fateful twist in odd character developments. The first two seasons are far and beyond better than the followups and the movie, but in reality if you don't bust a gut in the first two episodes then stop it will not change. This show is so very random with so many pop-culture and hilariously placed references
...

This show was an interesting mix of parody, originality, comedy, romance, and action with a fateful twist in odd character developments. The first two seasons are far and beyond better than the followups and the movie, but in reality if you don't bust a gut in the first two episodes then stop it will not change. This show is so very random with so many pop-culture and hilariously placed references that it could seriously be made easily over in the states on prime time and be loved, but I hope they leave it alone. If it is not the terrible cooking of the Nagi, the "Lets not offend anyone" mentality of making certain characters blatantly state that they were not dead or even replacing the image of god with Santa. The tiger will surprise you I wont ruin it but the tiger is awesome as this character has the means for being quite important in the show while at the same time being the overall most voiced character next to Hayate, Maria, and Nagi. Oh screw it SPOILER...he narrates the whole show. END SPOILER Its fantastic. Introducing characters almost every show with massive over the top comedy that will let you die laughing such as the hilarious realization that Isumi will constantly get lost. Im not talking about messing up a little oh the wrong turn...im talking getting lost to the point she is in space at one point.
The animation factor here changes over the course of time. In the first seasons this show was nicely drawn, the budget explodes for the second season, but then the next series it is back to being small and the movie is rather lax on its animation quality. Over all sticking to the first two seasons is your best bet as this show is particularly easy to get lost in.
The story may have some ticks that are even pointed out by the narrator (lol) and have been ever-so-confusing when watching later seasons. When you get the jewel episodes things will be a little more clear for you, but over all this show shows me a great amount of hilarity, a great attempt at character development, more product misplacement and blurred images of titles or food, and an all around spectacular showcase, this show is by far one of the best in the last 5 years.

I love this series because it has a great soundtrack, animation style, story/stories, and an excellent cast of characters with very unique, defining personalities! Fans of the manga will be satisfied with early season one and all of season two. Hayate the Combat Butler/Hayate no Gotoku is an anime that deserves to be up there among the legends.

This show is one of those great shows where you just sit back unwind and watch as the story unfolds. A lot of these episodes are in short bursts (often side stories); they’re great to watch in sequence or simply to come back to when you need a good laugh. This show follows our super unlucky butler Hayate, who finds that his parents have left him with a mound of debt to some rather shady
...

This show is one of those great shows where you just sit back unwind and watch as the story unfolds. A lot of these episodes are in short bursts (often side stories); they’re great to watch in sequence or simply to come back to when you need a good laugh. This show follows our super unlucky butler Hayate, who finds that his parents have left him with a mound of debt to some rather shady characters. Long story short, Nagi – a rich, young child prodigy - pays off his debt, and he finds himself working for her as her butler. So what makes this show so great? Well it’s simply funny, really funny. Hayate always finds himself in some awful/super embarrassing situation. And, well his misfortune is our comedy, haha. The comedy varies from slap stick to spoof humor. The spoof humor tends to have anime references in it and/or makes fun of anime in general. No matter what style the humor is, I always find myself laughing, and I’m sure you will laugh too. So if you’re looking for an anime to help you unwind then look no further: this is the anime for you!

As you just thought, no limits were found in comedy/romance/action animes. This Anime knock out, all future animation. Animes of this stanard are hardly found every 10th year. last time I saw some thing as good were when Chobits were released in 2002. since i can't compare this to a long anime like: Naruto, Pokémon and more, I'll say it this way. i'd personally rather watch 77 episodes of this
...

As you just thought, no limits were found in comedy/romance/action animes. This Anime knock out, all future animation. Animes of this stanard are hardly found every 10th year. last time I saw some thing as good were when Chobits were released in 2002. since i can't compare this to a long anime like: Naruto, Pokémon and more, I'll say it this way. i'd personally rather watch 77 episodes of this than 300 episodes of Naruto or 16 seasons of pokémon. Please be so kind as to respect my opiuon on this matter.

This was downright hilarious. Through and through it was written to not be taken seriously. It even goes as far as to laugh at itself multiple times, and the fourth wall gets broken so often it may as well not even exist. Even though the main character has a ridiculously depressing and sad backstory the way it's worded and depicted makes you actually laugh. I'm happy I broke down and watched this
...

This was downright hilarious. Through and through it was written to not be taken seriously. It even goes as far as to laugh at itself multiple times, and the fourth wall gets broken so often it may as well not even exist. Even though the main character has a ridiculously depressing and sad backstory the way it's worded and depicted makes you actually laugh. I'm happy I broke down and watched this anime even though it looked like it was something I wouldn't enjoy. For something with the word 'combat' in it this has little fighting, and what violence that is there is more implied than actually shown (even when someone is getting hit with a paper fan it will cut to a different screen).

I'm planning on watching it again with less attention to the story and more attention to the pictures and trying to find hidden meanings in the dialogue because of how many references this makes to other anime. It particularly likes referencing Code Geass, Death Note, and Lucky Star.

really great anime that doesn't have any fan service that's just there to make the episodes long enough.so much fun i watched all the episodes in 3 days!!! oh wait that's because i don't have a life but seriously very great highly recommend

About the Show

Hayate is a super-unlucky 16 year-old-boy. By chance, he rescues Nagi, the well-dressed heiress to a mega-rich family from hoodlums, then he
Hayate is a super-unlucky 16 year-old-boy. By chance, he rescues Nagi, the well-dressed heiress to a mega-rich family from hoodlums, then he gets hired as a live-in butler.
...more